Boss frustrated by late leveller

13 April 2013

City boss Phil Parkinson couldn't hide his frustration at seeing his side denied a deserved victory at Chesterfield by a late Spireites leveller.

Sam Togwell's equaliser for Chesterfield in the third minute of injury time rescued a point for the hosts and cruelly prevented City from extending their recent winning streak to four matches after an enthralling encounter.

A first half goal from Nahki Wells - his 22nd of the season - and a first of the campaign for Ricky Ravenhill either side of Tendayi Dariwka's equaliser for Chesterfield had put City on their way to the win until Togwell's late intervention.

Roared on by a vocal 2,000+ away support, City had looked in control of a passionate contest for long periods and will feel they did enough to warrant an impressive away-day victory.

Despite his disappointment at City not being able to see out the game for three points though, Parkinson simply couldn't question the effort and application put in by his players.

Parkinson said: "Chesterfield seemed to start the game strongly and pin us in a little bit for the first 10-15 minutes, but I thought after that we were tremendous.

"Certainly in the second half, there was only one winner in my eyes.

"They have ultimately had two attempts on goal all half and we've ended up dropping two points.

"Obviously it is always so frustrating to concede so late in the game, but I can't really fault the lads at all today - they were exceptional."

Reflecting on the events of the game afterwards, it wasn't just the late Chesterfield leveller that was causing Parkinson frustration.

City seemed to have a clear penalty shout turned down after Zavon Hines' strike from a corner appeared to hit Liam Cooper on the arm.

Parkinson added: "We could have had two penalties today - certainly the one when the lad (Liam Cooper) has charged it down from Zavon's shot is a definite penalty.

"The referee might turn around and say he was unsighted but I don't think that is good enough.

"There are four officials here today, including the fourth official, and they are all miked up and they all communicate.

"The fourth official is stood right next to me and I could see it was a penalty."

Looking back at City's goals in the game, Parkinson was pleased with both efforts for different reasons.

Parkinson added: "It was great finish from Nahki.

"A tremendous strike from him - a real goalscorer's goal.

"It was also great to see Ricky get his first of the season.

"He won us a penalty on Tuesday from that position on the edge of the area where he locks things in from corners, and today he's got a goal. I am just so disappointed that it wasn't the winner because the lads deserved it."

The draw, as frustrating a result it may have seen to Parkinson's men post-match, does, however, ensure City remain a point ahead of main rivals Exeter City and still in the vital seventh place slot in the League 2 table - the final Play-Off berth.

Parkinson added: "We are still in the mix, and it is great to be there.

"When you concede late, it always feels like a defeat. But when we wake up tomorrow and put today's performance and result into context, we'll realise it's a decent point."